Belfast Baps

2 1/2 cups warm water
pinch of salt
pinch of sugar
2 tablespoons active dry yeast
6 1/2-7 cups bread flour
rice flour

Place warm water in bowl. Water should be just warm to touch, about 90-100 degrees. Add salt, sugar and yeast. Stir to dissolve the yeast. Let sit about 5 minutes. Add 3 cups of flour and beat until smooth. Gradually add the remaining flour, until dough pulls away from sides of bowl. Knead with a dough hook or by hand, until dough is smooth and elastic. Place in oiled bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Let rise until doubled, about 1 1/2 hours. Punch down and divide into four equal pieces. Form each piece into a ball, using rice flour on the board. Place close together on a baking sheet, be sure top is covered with rice flour. Let rise again for about 45 minutes. Bake in a preheated oven at 400 degrees for 30 minutes. Convection baking works well on this bread if you have that option (bake at 375 degrees in that case). Turn the broiler on during the last 5 minutes. But don't walk away! Watch carefully. The top should be a deep brown.

Set to cool on rack and listen to the crackle!